CUPPING/HIJAMA TIMES.

1 ST ISSUE
JANUARY 2010. ISSN: 2041-9899

Table Of Contents

Section Page
International 3
Cupping
Society

Chairman's 6
Letter

Dr: Munir
Ravalia

Featured 8
Cupping
Research
(by)Dr David
Parker

Trials & 12
Research By
Dr: Tamer
Shaban

1
 Lessons from a 14
Cellist

By Marion
Bergan Irwin,
M. Ac.

Cupping 18
Therapy Cases
By Dr Mass R.
Usuf
Reader's corner 29

ICS 30
International
Contest 2010

Cupping 32
Therapy
websites

2
 INTERNATIONAL CUPPING SOCIETY (ICS)

United Kingdom Registered with Companies house as a Company Limited

by gurantee (Charity)

Number 6935313

Mail Address: PO BOX 506-New Malden-Surrey

United Kingdom
KT3 9AF

What is the ICS

The ICS holds an international register of qualified cupping

therapists. All are members of the ICS and adhere to the Code of
Ethics.

Advantages of Being a recognized ICS Member

The ICS is the only independent body that exists NOT for profit but
for the benefit of practitioners and their associations.

The ICS is a body with a Voluntary Self Regulation (VSR) Council

framework to help therapists,

ICS Philosophy - Why we are different :-

We are non profit making and therefore have only your interests
at heart.

We champion the preservation of all holistic values not to be

compromised by bureaucratic regulation.

We support meaningful voluntary self regulation where the VSR

Council created by the therapy peers maintains control. This

3
 protects the therapy associations and practitioners as well as the
public.

We embrace and support complementary schools and clinics

that meet our criteria.

The ICS Council IS the membership, not a separate body.

_________________________________________________________________

Code of Ethics
The International Cupping Society has the right to expect that all of
its members conduct their professional activities in accordance with
the Code of Ethics of the Society.

All practitioners and therapists must have appropriate Training and

follow appropriate cross infection control procedures, to ensure a
safe and hygienic environment for themselves, their colleagues and
their clients.

The following are some of the basic standards required and are
considered the minimum standards expected by the Society for all its
members:

Hepatitis B Immunisation
First aid kit is required .
Clean and hygienic conditions.
Waste Disposal Procedures are sufficient and follow the law of
the relevant country.
Relevant Sharps disposal and clinical waste.
All work materials such as chairs surfaces, and tables are
thoroughly cleaned using a suitable disinfectant between patients
and at the end of each working day and after any spillage on the
surface.
The skin in the area of the cupping site must be appropriately
cleansed.
Before conducting the cupping procedure, the practitioner will
wash their hands and forearms with soap and hot water, drying
with clean disposable towels.

4
Gowns and towels must be changed and cleaned after each use
and free from stains as appropriate.
Cups and other disposable instruments must be prepackaged
and pre-sterilized and only applied once, after which appropriate
disposal in a puncture and leak-proof box, and its contents must
be disposed of in a manner authorized for clinical waste.
Hands must be cleaned with antibacterial soaps between each
patient.
Use of disposable gloves during cupping.
Therapists must not overcharge, mislead or continue to treat
patients for prolonged treatment courses without beneficial
treatment results.
Controlled infectious disease which require hospitalisation,
cancer treatment and other serious diseases should not be offered
as a replacement to conventional medical treatment.
Patients must be advised to fast for a minimum of three hours
before treatment.
Therapists must be trustworthy to their patients, not misguide,
nor give unqualified advice.
Therapists must not advise patients to stop medication or other
medical treatments without first consulting with their physician.
Therapists must give their complete attention when treating a
patient and provide safe and suitable treatments to the best of
their ability.
Attention must be taken by members not to give incorrect
results about the success of treatments or to say that any
treatment is a total cure in every case without clear evidence.
Members will be asked occasionally to attend additional optional
education seminars and lectures appropriate to maintain with
current professional standards.
Membership to be renewed on an annual basis subject to
compliance with the Society's Code of Ethics

5
 CHAIRMAN'S LETTER

AIM OF THE INTERNATIONAL

CUPPING SOCIETY

O
ver the years having heavy doses of medications
met distinguished suffering from their side
scholars in the field effects and not gaining
of Hijamah (Cupping), I much benefit. Many of our
came to the realisation that patients turned to cupping
their work was not being as a last resort but now
recognised by conventional wished that their routing
or western medicine, and general medical
that patients all over the practitioner had offered
globe were not aware of this option to them at the
this treatment option. The beginning.
clinical results that their
patients have been Only by the education of
benefiting from are hidden. doctors throughout the
As such we decided to form world can patients be fully
the ICS to bring members informed of this medical
from all over the world treatment.
regardless of race or
As such, I call on all of you
religion, so that we could
to work with us. This
all work in conjunction
Endeavour will never
with each other and take
succeed by the work of a
this medicine forward. I no
few. It takes great numbers
longer call it a
of us to work together with
complementary or
true conviction and
alternative medicine; too
passion.
many patients have been
suffering for years on

6
Think of it very control procedures as well
simplistically. Have you or as procedures to safeguard
any of your loved ones ever patients from those only
suffered severe pain? Then interested in financial gains
imagine a simple, relatively and not their well being.
cheap method of medical
treatment that could be We call on all practitioners,
accessed by those all teachers and all leaders
throughout the world, to in this field, to join us, work
relive them of this pain you with us and let us take this
have felt, or witnessed. Is it treatment to the world. It
not worth your little effort should no longer be hidden
to help mankind? in the closet and we should
not be afraid or ashamed of
We also should aim to it. We call on governments
safeguard this ancient to assist us in research in
practice. Therefore, this field.
education of those
practising wet cupping is God willing, we can succeed
essential and, as such, with our effort and His
formal training pathways Guidance.
need to evolve to
Peace unto all mankind
implement strict infection

Dr.M.Ravalia

Dr Munir Ravalia

BDS MFDS RCS Eng Cert Sed

Speciality Dentist Kings College Hospital

Member Royal College of Surgeons England

Member British Medical Acupuncture Society (Head/Neck)

Chairman of International Cupping Society

7
 FEATURED CUPPING RESEARCH

A PERSPECTIVE ON THE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS OF THE

ANCIENT ART OF HIJAMA (CUPPING) THERAPY –

BY DAVID PARKER ND

A
s a naturopath, blood under dark field and
nutritionist and light field microscopy.
healer I was
intrigued to explore the This proved very insightful
scientific reasons why the and proved to me
ancient art of cupping or something I had
Hijama therapy was so suspected.
effective in treating a
whole host of ailments and The dry layered blood
illnesses. sample viewed under light
field microscopy
The wet cupping I found consistently showed high
particularly fascinating and concentrations of toxic
was curious to know more metals and chemicals, as
about the blood which was well as showing evidence
being extracted via the of bacterial and parasitic
cup from various areas of activity.
the body.
The appearance of the live
From this viewpoint I blood under the dark field
started analysing the microscope showed that
8
there were high effective adjunctive
concentrations of acids therapy on the path to
and inflammatory proteins wellness.
often referred to as fibrin.

These phenomena were

more frequently present
when the blood was
removed from an area
where the patient was
experiencing pain and
inflammation. I conclude
from this that the area of Proteinous waste found
pain appears to act like a in live blood sample
magnet for acids, toxins viewed under dark field
and pathogens. microscopy
(This is often found when
It is therefore very logical the diet contains too much
to assume that removal of cooked food and lacks
these from the local area enzymes for complete
will bring about digestion)
symptomatic relief, while
encouraging fresh
circulating blood to deliver
healing nutrients and
oxygen to the affected
tissue, thus providing
healing and resolution.

Together with dietary

change, cleansing and
detoxification therapy,
Rouleaux and Fibrin
along with education
appearing in Live blood
regarding the avoidance of
under dark field microscopy
toxins within the patient’s
(This formation of red blood
environment, I see Hijama cells and inflammatory
wet cupping as a very proteins are always present

9
 in blood which is overly
acidic and infected)

Toxic metals appearing on edge

of dried blood sample under
The ideal live blood picture light field microscopy.
under dark field microscopy (The thicker and denser the grey
Observe the red cells sitting band, the more metals there are
separately in their own space in the blood)
therefore having the freedom to
travel around the body network
of capillaries, which in some
cases are one red cell in
diameter. Observe the free
floating white blood cells known
as neutrophils, again having the
freedom to patrol around the
body searching out toxins and
pathogens)
Degenerative processes
evidenced under light field
microscopy
(The white lakes seen here
indicate that tissues associated
with the vascular system have
become inflamed and are
harbouring atherosclerotic
plaques, toxic metals and
cholesterol)

10
 David Parker works in the
field of clinical nutrition,
naturopathy and the
research of the
effectiveness of both
modern and ancient
healing techniques.

Microscopic assessment
How the dry layered blood of blood is one means of
sample should look under determining the nutritional
light field microscopy status as well as the toxic
(Observe the absence of elements present in a
any white lakes, the clean person’s blood.
finely cut edge showing no
toxic metals and the black A before and after
lines all joining together like assessment is useful in
a matrix) determining the changes
occurring as a result of the
therapy being applied.

About the Author

David Parker ND,
DIP ION,
DIP EAV

11
 TRIALS & RESEARCH
NEW TRIALS SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF CUPPING
THERAPY

BY DR: TAMER SHABAN

T
her have been many and other symptoms related to
published clinical trials CTS (carpal tunnel
and scientific papers syndrome)."1.
written in 2009 about the
effectiveness of cupping Cupping therapy for pain
therapy. Three papers from The second trial was a South
Germany, South Korea and Korean study, published in the
Iran support the use of Journal of Complementary
cupping therapy and give new and Alternative Medicine in
scientific evidence to this old 2009. The researchers
therapy. searched 14 medical
databases. Cupping therapy
trials investigating a pain
Cupping therapy for carpal condition were included. Trials
tunnel syndrome investigating unproven
The first trial was a German therapy or combining cupping
study, published in the Journal with unproven therapy were
of Pain in 2009. The excluded. The researchers
researchers investigated the found seven randomized
effect of the cupping therapy clinical trials that met the
as a treatment for the carpal previous inclusion criteria. The
tunnel syndrome. There were researchers concluded that
52 participants in this trial. The "The results of our systemic
patients were randomly review provide some
assigned to either a treatment suggestive evidence for the
group or a control group. The effectiveness of cupping in the
treatment group experienced management of pain
pain relief and a decrease in conditions."2.
other symptoms. The
researchers concluded that Cupping therapy for low
"Cupping therapy may be back pain
effective in relieving the pain The third trial was an Iranian

12
study, published in the Conclusion
Complementary Medicine in Cupping therapy is a good
Therapies Journal. The natural treatment with a
researchers investigated the promising effect for many
effectiveness of wet cupping diseases. It is used
therapy for the treatment of successfully to treat all types
nonspecific low back pain. of pain. More randomized
The researchers concluded controlled trials are needed to
that "Wet-cupping is assess its effectiveness in
associated with greater short- other diseases. Please,
term clinical benefit than usual consult a health care
care. No adverse effects were professional before using any
reported."3. type of alternative or
complementary medicine
therapies.

References
1.Andreas Michalsen, et al., Effects of Traditional Cupping Therapy in
Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial,The
Journal of Pain, ,June 2009, Vol. 10, No. 6, pp. 601-608.

2.Jong-In Kim , Myeong Soo Lee , Dong-Hyo Lee , Kate Boddy , and Edzard
Ernst -, Cupping for Treating Pain: A Systematic Review, eCAM Advance
Access published on May 7, 2009, DOI 10.1093/ecam/nep035.

3.K. Farhadi, D. Schwebel, M. Saeb, M. Choubsaz, R. Mohammadi, A.

Ahmadi, The Effectiveness of Wet-cupping for Nonspecific Low Back Pain in
Iran: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Complementary Therapies in Medicine,
Volume 17, Issue 1,pp. 9-15.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Tamer Shaban
Vice Chairman of International Cupping Society (UK), M.B.B.CH, D.H.P., D.C.M.T,
S.N.H.S Dip. (Nutrition), S.N.H.S Dip. (Herbalism), Member of the Royle Institute of
Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy, Member of the Complete Mind therapists
Association.

13
 FEATURED ARTICLE (CUPPING THERAPY CONTEST
WINNER 2009)

LESSONS FROM A CELLIST

BY MARION BERGAN IRWIN, M. AC.

arm that was so

excruciating that he was
unable to attend his
business functions.
Upon his return to the
States he saw a Neurologist
who performed an MRI and
neurological testing that
indicated he had a C5-6
“Nerve burner” or

A 50 year old man in

otherwise excellent
health presented with
“Stinger”, a compression of
the upper portion of the left
brachial plexus. He was
level 8 out of 10 pain in this given Valium and Celebrex
left arm. He complained that helped
that the left bicep muscle temporarily. After five
felt like it was in a vice grip months he started to work
and that there was out at the gym but found
numbness and pain that sit-ups were causing
shooting down the arm to the left arm pain to return
the fingers. The pain had with greater intensity this
started one year ago on an time. He was also
overseas flight after having experiencing difficulty
slept in an awkward sleeping, as the pain would
position on the plane. He wake him several times
awoke with pain in the left during the night. In

14
addition to being a lawyer acupuncture with electric
for a national non-profit stimulation along with the
organization, he was a Japanese style moxibustion
cellist for a major called Okyu, which is the
metropolitan burning of sesame seed
orchestra. The pain and size threads of moxa wool
numbness affecting his left on a thin layer Shuinko
arm and hand were applied directly to the skin.
severely limiting his ability These therapies promote
to play. He had to cancel circulation of the energy,
concerts, and limit his which when stagnant cause
teaching schedule with his pain. On the second office
cello students. visit the patient reported
that he felt a little
He returned to the Doctor “different”. The pain was
and received cortisone less intense and he felt a bit
injections with no positive light headed. The squeeze
result. Physical Therapy on the bicep was not as
was tried along with Mobic tight, and the numbness
to relieve any inflammation down his arm was less
causing pain, as well as severe but still significantly
Lyrica at night to help him there.
sleep. He found no relief
with the Physical Therapy I sensed the patient’s
and limited relief from the desperation and was
medications. He was concerned my usual
looking for alternative approach would not
treatment when a neighbor achieve results rapidly
suggested he try enough. As I considered
acupuncture. alternatives, I recalled a
recent conversation I had
My examination of the with a Medical Resident
patient’s left neck, who was trained as an
shoulders and back Osteopathic Doctor and
revealed extreme tightness was entering a Physiatry
in these areas. I performed

15
 subspecialty training dependent Cellist wanted
program. As part of her relief, I decided to give wet
Residency, she was cupping a try.
working with a physician
who had done some I prepared the patient for
training in Oriental what I was about to do, and
Medicine. He maintained a selected the areas to lance,
7,000 patient case load and then applied nine suction
had used cupping cups to the upper and
successfully with most all middle portion of the upper
of them. He resolved their trapezius, and the medial
complaints in just a few portion of the lower
sessions and they only trapezius. The skin beneath
returned when they had a the cups turned red and
new complaint. This was then purple under some of
challenging her training
which involved drugs and
complicated procedures.
This was so simple, it
caused her to question
everything. Since we were
friends she called me to
discuss what she was
seeing. I naturally asked a
lot of questions about what the cups with the blood
he was doing, how he did it, being dark, indicating
and his results. Up to this significant stagnation. Cups
point in my career as an were applied for about 30
acupuncturist, I had not minutes. The next week the
used cupping therapy very patient reported he was
often. Having had some feeling better. There was
time to mull this not a lot of pain, the thumb
conversation over, and was still numb, the shocks
considering the urgency going down his arm less
with which this medication severe, squeezing around

16
the biceps still there but Triple Warmer 15. At this
not as severe, and that he point I resumed using
no longer needed narcotics needles and electric
because his pain was 60% stimulation as my primary
less than when he modality of treatment.
presented at his initial
office visit. I applied cups This case revolutionized
again without lancing and my practice. I saw dramatic
he reported at the next results with this modality
office visit a further and began to incorporate it
reduction of the shocks into my treatments on a
shooting down his arm, and regular basis. People enjoy
the tightness in his bicep. the feeling and appreciate
The trapezius muscle had the freedom it brings to
loosened significantly with their lives. After 10 years of
the exception of an area practice I am still amazed
around Gall Bladder 21 and at the new things I am
learning.

About the Author:

Marion E. Bergan, M. Ac
NY-USA

National Board Certification with NCCAOM

New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Board Member
for Acupuncture –(2008-2013)

Acupuncture Society of Massachusetts

17
 CUPPING THERAPY CASES

SOME CASES OF CUPPIN G THERAPY

DR MASS R. USUF

A
lternative medicine Patients used to popping
is not very popular pain killers for long periods
in Sri Lanka where I of time with attendant side
live. However, the effects find this therapy
indigenous system of fascinating. And………..when
medicine, namely ayurveda they find relief through this
which has existed for many drugless therapy after a
centuries and which was few sessions they are
smothered by the advent of astonished at what some
western medicine when the simple cups can do! Here
British colonised the then are five such cases:
Ceylon is gradually
surfacing in popularity
although it still has a long CASE 1
way to go before it attains
A lady in her mid sixties
its former stature of many
found it extremely difficult
centuries back.
to do meditation in the
But other alternative temple as she could not
therapies are virtually maintain posture for some
unheard of or not well time without suffering from
known or accepted. severe pain down the back
Cupping therapy is of both her thighs
virtually unheard of in Sri accompanied with cramps
Lanka. There are only a of the calves. She has been
handful of suffering for about two
practitioners…….about less years and only strong
than five to my knowledge analgesics provided
in a population of 20 temporary relief. But taking
million. such analgesics
precipitated severe

18
gastritis so much so she was made – one she could
was between the devil and put up with.
the deep blue sea! She
looked so forlorn that she Movement elicited
could not meditate complains of pain at
anymore with success as various sites and it
the pain creeps in to her corresponded to muscle
meditative state and knots (myofascial trigger
disturbs the tranquility she points) that can be felt in
otherwise experiences. the hand when moving the
cup. An overall
She was asked to lie face examination revealed that
down (prone position) with the posterior-medial aspect
her hands crossed and her of both thighs had many
forehead placed on the hard muscle knots.
dorsum of her hands.
Sesame oil was applied Gentle cupping massage
from the area below the was then initiated over the
gluteal crease up to the course of these hard
popliteal crease. A medium muscle knots in soft tissue
size cup was applied just – back and forth a few
below the gluteal crease times. This was done to
and suction and negative break up the tension in the
pressure exerted by means tissues. Subsequently,
of a pistol grip. average sized cups were
placed over the knobby
When the cup was gently areas and stationary
moved down she cupping done for 20
complained of severe pain. minutes.
It meant that though
chronic characterises her The same method was
condition her present applied to the calves and
predicament was acute. here too muscle knots were
The pressure was released identified and stationary
and a less strong suction cupping initiated. A cup
was placed over acu-point

19
 UB-57 with moderate indicative of the prevalence
suction after needling it of damp in the sites
with a one inch, 32 gauge, cupped. ‘Damp pathogen’
filiform needle. as it is sometimes called
always manifests in the
She also complained of a type of pain and discomfort
pain radiating from both and muscle knots the
buttocks down the patient suffered from.
posterior aspect of the
thighs. Acu-point GB-30 Immediately after the
over both buttocks were cupping session the patient
deeply palpated by a jimmy complained of a sense of
and sharp tenderness soreness and stiffness. She
elicited which indicated she did not look happy. After
suffered from bilateral she went home she made a
sciatica……which also could phone call and said she felt
contribute to her more sore and stiff. I
discomfort when she reassured her that these
assumed the pose for sensations would soon
meditation (seated on the subside.
ground with legs crossed
over – lotus position). Some patients do feel such
post-cupping discomfort
Long filiform needles (5 which eventually subsides.
inches-32 gauge) were A strong suction
inserted over GB-30 of both (particularly on the elderly
buttocks and large cups and children must be
were thereafter placed over avoided) would often
the needles, suctioned and precipitate such post-
acu-cupping initiated. cupping conditions. Even a
moderate suction (as in
When the cups from the this case) sometimes would
thighs/calves were elicit such discomfort if the
removed the interior was condition is acute (though
misty (coated with water chronic over time).
vapor) which was clearly Therefore, it is best to tell

20
the patient that ‘only’ torus accompanied with
sometimes some post- nasal (watery mucus)
cupping discomfort may be secretion and sneezing.
felt when/after returning Palpation of acu-points UB-
home but that it would 2+EX-3+GB-14 elicited
soon dissipate and give tenderness. Palpation of
over to relief. the sinus maximilaris (at
acu-point ST-3) also
elicited tenderness.
Inflammation of the Para
When the patient came for
nasal sinuses was very
the second session she said
evident (rhinosinusitis).
the sense of soreness and
stiffness disappeared after As there was insufficient
some hours and a sense of musculature on the
relaxation crept in. She felt forehead to perform
more confident of the stationary cupping, flash
treatment. Four more cupping was resorted to
cupping sessions later she using a small cup. In the
was virtually relieved of area of ST-3 (bilateral)
her suffering totally. And small cups were used for
now she does meditate for stationary cupping and the
many hours without any suction was not strong nor
pain or discomfort. She was was it kept for a longer
so happy that she could period (5 minutes only) to
meditate in peace that she preclude an ecchymotic
donated a 12 piece cupping appearance that would
set to the clinic!! disfigure the face.

The possibility of a post-

CASE 2 cupping ecchymotic
appearance arising must
The patient, in her teens,
always be told to patients
complained of severe pins
who wear clothing
and needles sensation
exposing body parts where
above the supraorbital
stationary cupping may be

21
 done. Women who wear sensation in the forehead.
sleeveless tops, tops with After two sessions of
low necklines or deep back cupping the patient’s
cut blouses should be told distressing symptoms
that stationary cupping disappeared.
often results in circular
discoloration of skin or
blisters. CASE 3

Imagine a patient who has The patient in his thirties

an important function to complained of pain and
attend in the stiffness in the spinal
evening……and she has column extending from the
bought an expensive dress lower cervical area up to
with a low neck line. the lumbar spine area with
Complaining of pain in the the condition very
chest (diagnosed as say pronounced in the lumbar
costochondritis) stationary area. He had been suffering
cupping is performed. from this condition for the
Subsequently, say post last nigh on 10 years.
cupping results in the Analgesics gave him no
emergence of many bright more relief and he was
red cup prints on the chest desperate. Even turning his
(deficiency of yin – of body (by rotating
qi/blood). Imagine her shoulders by a few
plight! degrees) caused him pain.
Moreover, he could not
Contrary to Case 1 above, stoop rapidly nor could he
many, rapid flash cupping stoop more than a few
later the patient felt degrees or engage in any
immediately relieved. The activity with hands raised.
flash cupping probably He had no disc herniation
facilitated the passage of nor was his condition a
mucus and air between the result of a trauma. With no
nose and sinuses thus overt pathology of the
relieving the pressure-pain spinal column it looked

22
more like muscular fatigue. Shi points) for 15 minutes.
Symptoms corresponded to A cup was placed over acu-
cold/damp. point DU-14 and two cups
were placed over acu-
Placing him in a prone points UB-23 and DU-3.
position with the forehead Small cups were also
resting on the dorsum of placed at sites adjacent to
his hands sesame oil was the spinal column, which
applied on the spinal were found tender when
column and adjacent to it cupping massage was
on both sides. An average done.
size cup was suctioned (not
strongly) at the level of After the cups were
acu-point DU-14 and gently removed there emerged in
dragged down the DU some places cup prints of a
channel up to DU-3. purplish-dark colour that
signified deficient blood
At several points on the and blood stasis. These
spinal column and on both were more apparent on
sides to it tenderness was sites where the patient
elicited with the lumbar complained of more
spine area registering tenderness. Almost all the
greater tenderness. Gentle cups had water vapour
cupping massage was coating which spoke of
performed up and down damp pathogen. However,
the spinal column and the the patient felt a difference
areas adjacent to it (over and said that the stiffness
UB and EX-21 Huatuojiaji had lessened. Six sessions
acu-points) in order to later the patient recovered
release tissue tension (it is almost totally. He achieved
not possible to drag a cup full articulation by being
over the spinal column of able to move his body by
those with a deep spinal rotating his shoulders. He
valley). Thereafter, cups stooped enough to touch
were placed at points his toes! There was some
where pain was elicited (Ah

23
 minor residual stiffness the patient was in a
and mild pain that lingered crowded train
in the lumbar region and compartment when a
follow up treatment was powerful bomb went off.
not possible as the patient She was thrown back and
migrated to Canada. since that day she suffered
from this neck pain. The
type of whip lash she
experienced could also
CASE 4
bring about trapezius
A lady in her fifties myalgia from which also
complained of long she suffered.
standing left shoulder pain
Two small cups were
with restricted arm
suctioned on the
movement where she
sternocleidomastoid
found it difficult to even tie
muscle – one cup was
her hair. Palpation of acu-
placed half a cun below GB-
points LI-15+SJ-14 elicited
20 and the other half a cun
pain. There was also
distal to it to address the
restricted movement of the
whiplash injury. SJ-5 was
neck with pain at two Ah
needled by a half inch 32
Shi points down the
gauge, filiform needle and
sternocleidomastoid
cupped with a small cup
muscle and pain even in the
using moderate suction.
trapezius (palpation of GB-
21 elicited tenderness). A small south pole magnet
was placed over GB-21 and
Peri-arthritis of the
a large size cup suctioned
shoulder (frozen shoulder)
over it to initiate magnet-
was diagnosed together
cupping to address the
with torticollis – the
trapezius myalgia.
cervical lateral flexion and
the cervical extension One average size cup
pointed to torticollis. On covered the LI-15+SJ-14
inquiry it was revealed that

24
area in relation to the The cups at the neck area
frozen shoulder. tended to lose grip many
times as the negative
Strong suction was applied. pressure could not be
This cup also covered the maintained for long as
Un-numbered cupping was performed
Extraordinary acu-point over somewhat hairy
Jianquan which helps areas. Moreover, strong
eliminate supra-spinatus suction could not be given
tendonitis (painful arc in this area as it would
syndrome). result in pain and
discomfort to the patient.
A half inch 32 gauge,
Therefore, suctioning had
filiform needle was placed
to be done many times to
over SI-9 and a small cup
compensate for cups falling
placed and suctioned
with gradual loss of
strongly.
negative pressure.
Strong suction was applied
Fifteen minutes later the
to the GB-21+LI-15+SJ-14
cups were removed. The
areas and maintained as
area covering LI-15+SJ-14
the patient did not feel any
had many blisters, some
pain or discomfort by the
large, some very small with
strong suction. Strong
thin blood in blisters.
suction must not be applied
Blisters are indicative of
and maintained to the
pathogenic damp whereas
elderly, to children, to
the thin blood in blisters is
those debilitated, to those
a reaction of heat-damp
convalescing, to those
toxins.
whose musculature is soft
and thin, over areas of the The very small blisters
neck and face, over were left alone but the
varicosities with imminent large blisters were
ulceration to name some. punctured, the fluid
drained out and a sterile
dressing was applied.

25
 The area surrounding acu- arm. Her mother died of a
point GB-21 had a circular heart attack in her early
cup print that was almost fifties. Fearing it could be
black in colour which was related to the heart she had
indicative of blood stasis. undergone a battery of
tests under a cardiologist. A
Allowing the blisters to cardiac involvement was
settle down for a couple of ruled out but still the
days cupping was patient suffered pain in the
recommenced. chest and pain radiating
down the left arm. She also
Six sessions later her neck
suffered a puncture wound
problem was resolved to a
from a bite by her
great extent The trapezius
vaccinated pet dog in the
myalgia in the area of GB-
area approximately one
21disappeared. She
cun proximal to EX-31. The
regained much movement
wound had healed but she
of the arm and was able to
felt a stinging pain deep in
lift it enough to tie her hair.
the tissues in the site of the
She is still under treatment
puncture. Then she
to further improve
complained of neck pain
articulation of the neck and
with some rigidity
shoulder joint.
accompanied by shoulder
pain. Lastly, she said she
CASE 5 had a dull pain in the left
deltoid region which she
The patient in her early felt more when she raised
fifties complained of her arm.
persistent, chronic cough
with thin, white sputum There was no evidence that
with a sense of suffocation the cough was of viral or
in the chest. She also bacterial in origin. It was
complained of left side not eosinophilic bronchitis
chest pain with pain as well. She was a febrile.
radiating down the left

26
The cough was attributed counter the deltoid pain. An
to the damp phlegm type. Ah shi point over the
deltoid was needled by a
The chest pain and pain one inch 32 gauge, filiform
radiating down the left arm needle and the cup placed
very closely corresponded over it and strong acu-
to Tietze syndrome cupping initiated.
(slipping rib syndrome)
and possibly exacerbated A half inch, 32 gauge
by the persistent fits of filiform needle was sunk
coughing impinging upon into the dog bite site and a
the rib cage. small cup applied over it
and suctioned strongly.
The stinging pain deep at
the site of the dog bite had For the chronic cough the
to be neuro-muscular in acu-point UB-13 was
origin as the wound was needled by a half inch, 32
completely healed (and so gauge filiform needle and
was the deltoid pain). an average size cup placed
over it and suctioned. The
Palpation of the vertebrae acu-point UB-13 lies over
from DU-14 to 15 elicited the lung area and deep
pain which pointed to insertion is dangerous as it
possible sub-acute cervical could precipitate
spondylosis and the pneumothorax. A small cup
symptoms were indicative was placed over LU-1 with
of invasion by exogenous moderately strong suction
wind/cold. Moreover, the (deep needling at LU-1 also
pain radiating down the can cause pneumothorax).
arm could either be from A very small cup was
cervical spondylisis or placed over REN-17 and
Tietze syndrome or from suctioned strongly. REN-17
both. is an important acu-point
for respiratory disorders
She had big arms and that
and is at the level of the
warranted a large cup to
fourth intercostal space. It

27
 can prove to be a tricky cupped with a small cup
area to cup as it lies on the with moderate suction.
sternum where in most Another needle was placed
instances the contour of the over GB-21 and cupped
mammary glands do not strongly with an average
permit a cup to be placed size cup. UB-11 was also
there. Somewhat a flat punctured and an average
chested anatomy would size cup placed with
permit use of a small or moderate suction.
very small cup depending
on musculature and When the patient came the
mammary glands contour. next day she said she was
amazed at the sudden
A large and a few average disappearance overnight of
sized cups were also placed the stinging pain at the dog
on Ah Shi points on the bite site. The effect of
chest to counter the chest cupping reaches almost 4
pain arising from Tietze inches deep into the
syndrome. tissues. So, any minor
neuro-muscular effect
For the cervical would have been
spondylosis DU-14 was countered. Cupping
punctured by a half inch, 32 therapy thus gave her more
gauge filiform needle and a confidence and she came
cup placed over it with for more sessions till she
moderate suction. A small overcame her cough and all
cup was placed between her pains and aches within
DU-14 and DU-15 with a few weeks!
moderate suction. A needle
was also placed on SJ-5 and

Dr Mass R. Usuf – PhD, MD (Acu), MFHom, MIAC (UK)

Sri Lanka

28
 READER'S CORNER
All readers are welcome to contact us with their articles, cases,
comments and questions.

FEVER DUE TO COMMON COLD

FROZEN SHOULDER BY THE SAME TIME

Male patient 32 years old with fever 38,5 degrees,

and frozen Shoulder on the left side

One day before the fever, symptoms of sneezing

and coughing almost although the day, were noticed.

Next morning the patient woke up with a hot feeling

and after temperature measurement the fever was

38. Immediately strong cupping was applied. Kindly

note also that at the same time we had

Symptoms on the left side of Frozen shoulder. Strong cupping method

was applied on the following

Points : Dazhui DU-14, Zhongfu LU-1 and Feishu BL-13 bilaterally, dazhui
(GV-14). Cconcerning now the frozen shoulder we added the

Supplementary point for frozen shoulder : jianyu (LI-15) was added for 20
minutes on all above points.

After the first second treatment fever was gone, and after 4 treatments
frozen shoulder pain

was disappear and patient was completely relieved.

Nektarios Psichoyiouakis

Greece

Member of ICS

29
 CUPPING CONTEST

THE ICS INTERNATIONAL CONTEST

2010
ICS Contest.

Contest rules:

1) Submit an article, story or a photo about cupping therapy.

This must be your own original work.

2) Submit your CV, and photo

3) Agree to have your work published in any ICS

publications/website

Benefits/(Prize)

1) Your work will be published internationally

2) There will be 5 winners who will receive the E-Cupping book

3) There will be 5 winners who will receive 2 years free

subscription to the ICS Magazine

4) There will be an additional prize for the best work

Please act promptly to gain a chance in winning in this contest

send your work to

[email protected]

Or to:

Mail Address:

30
PO BOX 506-New Malden-Surrey
KT3 9AF
United Kingdom

the deadline is 1 June 2010

31
 CUPPING THERAPY WEBSITES
This section tends to provide you with the latest cupping therapy
websites.

 International Cupping Society Website

 http://www.internationalcuppingsociety.com

 Cupping Therapy Information

 http://www.cuppingtherapy.info

 Zakariya Health Studios

 http://www.zhijama.co.uk/

 Ahealth-Information about cupping

 http://www.ahealth.co.uk/

 International Cupping Therapy Association (USA)

 http://www.cuppingtherapy.org/

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